Good Gracious it's November

It's already November! All throughout October I kept thinking that I should post about Oregon State since I'm finally here. But, obviously, that never happened.

View from my window. Just because.

So. I'm at Oregon State!! It's pretty great up here. I live in a super small town that fits me really well. I also think that I DEFINITELY made the best housing choice. As I talk with other Mormon students I find that it wasn't just me that struggled with housing. Most of them live with nonmembers or pay an exorbitant amount to live by themselves. I live in the best of both worlds, since I live with an active and wonderful family that takes really good care of me and I also get lots of alone time. It's not the PERFECT situation but I'm finding that that situation didn't exist. I'll take what I have.

Tree on campus. Sometimes you just have to take a picture. 

School is great. The first few weeks I was starting to wonder if it was all too easy. I started thinking that the next three years would fly by from all the fun and excitement. Then school got real. Real real. Midterms came and I stressed out. A lot. It wasn't my week, let's just say that. But they're coming next week again and I (hopefully) will be much less distracted this time. Thankfully this week I've been able to seriously pound out my assignments and get my head back in the game (I will never not think of Troy Bolton when I say that).

Hike with padre. He did good and we ate Oreos. The End.

Things are good in other departments as well. I've been continuously running, which is essential for my happiness. I've been to Eugene on the weekends almost more than I've been in Corvallis. I have a new calling (LDSSA President. I act as the Liaison between the institute and school, basically, plus promote the heck out of institute). I've been on a few gorgeous hikes. One was with my dad and the other two were with Thomas (boyfriend). I've been working at the temple doing various challenging things. I've been on a couple of bike rides, again with Thomas. My parents visited (hence the hike with my dad). Amy came up to Corvallis/Philomath for a few hours and explored with me. It was terrific. (and I bought Sperry's for $6, best deal of my life)

Jack with Dad. Pretty stinkin' cute.

Life isn't perfect and everyday I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. But it's incredibly good and for that I am incredibly grateful.